McArthur backs calls to strengthen domestic abuse protections

Following a debate in the Scottish Parliament on tackling violence against women and girls, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur has supported calls made by his party for the government to finally implement promised protections against domestic abuse.  

The party has repeatedly criticised the delayed implementation of Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which give police and courts the power to remove a domestic abuser from a victim’s home immediately after an incident.

These protections have still not been rolled out, despite parliament passing them over five years ago.

At the start of July, Scottish Liberal Democrats wrote to the First Minister, asking him if he would set out a timeline for bringing them into force. As at the time of writing, he has yet to respond.

During today's debate, Mr McArthur and his colleagues supported a Labour amendment to the government motion, which has called on the Scottish Government to outline urgently a timetable for the implementation of GPS monitoring for suspected domestic abusers on bail.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said:  

"The enduring prevalence of violence against women and girls in Scotland is a blight on our national conscience, and it is one from which no part of our country is immune.
 

"There is a clear consensus on the need for the Scottish Government to take urgent action to tackle male violence and misogynistic attitudes, and I welcomed the opportunity to support an amendment today calling for the rapid implementation of GPS tracking for suspected domestic abusers on bail. But five years on, it is unacceptable that protection orders and notices designed to protect women experiencing domestic abuse have still not been implemented.
 

"We know that there are unique and specific barriers to support for victims of domestic abuse in rural and island settings, where targeted support is required. Women’s Aid Orkney, Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service and others do excellent work to support women and girls across our islands, and it is vital they have the resources they need to continue providing that support.
 

“Women and girls across Scotland deserve to feel safe in their homes, communities and public spaces, and we must do everything we can to make that a reality.”